MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Council Raises Ice Center Rates, Advances Alcohol and Cannabinoid Ordinances

COON RAPIDS, MN (August 23, 2026) The Coon Rapids City Council has approved new rental rates and user agreements for the Coon Rapids Ice Center while advancing proposed revisions to the city’s alcohol and cannabinoid-business regulations.

The actions occurred during the council’s Tuesday, August 18 meeting and were subsequently included in an official meeting summary published by the city.

Under the revised fee schedule, the prime indoor ice-rental rate for the fall and winter season will increase from $255 to $260 an hour, excluding applicable sales tax. The spring and summer non-prime indoor rate will rise from $200 to $210 an hour.

The previous rates appear in the city’s adopted 2026 fee schedule.

Game-related charges will also increase. The adjustments are intended to help the city address operating expenses while keeping the Ice Center’s rates competitive with other facilities in the region.

The council separately approved the Ice Center’s 2026-2027 user contracts with Anoka-Hennepin School District. The agreements establish facility-use terms, ice-rental charges, game fees and locker-room arrangements for school hockey programs using the city-owned arena.

A proposed amendment involving storage for a local sled-hockey program was not completed during the meeting because additional documentation remained outstanding. The matter is expected to return for consideration at a future council meeting.

The council also introduced, but did not yet give final adoption to, two municipal-code amendments.

One proposed ordinance would revise Chapter 5-200, which regulates alcoholic beverages. City officials described the revisions as an effort to simplify licensing requirements and reduce certain costs for license holders.

A second proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 5-3100 governing cannabinoid businesses. The proposal would adjust the minimum number of licensed businesses permitted under the city’s regulatory framework from five to six, reflecting changes affecting the calculation used under state law.

Because the ordinances were introduced rather than finally adopted, another council action would be required before the amendments take effect.

During the meeting’s open-microphone period, resident Kevin Stanton addressed the council and made allegations concerning his 2017 arrest and the Coon Rapids Police Department’s treatment of him.

Stanton claimed that he had been arrested without justification and said the experience contributed to social isolation and post-traumatic stress. He asked city leaders to seek an FBI investigation into the department.

Those assertions were presented solely as Stanton’s allegations during public comment. They were not findings by the City Council, and MinneapoliMedia has not located an independent investigative finding substantiating them. The council did not formally authorize an investigation during the meeting.

The council also discussed a proposed school at the Family Center Mall. The land-use application previously received a recommendation from the Coon Rapids Planning Commission and is expected to undergo additional council review before a final decision.

Councilmembers concluded the meeting with reports concerning community activities, including strong attendance at the city’s summer concert series, the Coon Rapids Farmers Market and volunteer contributions from community organizations.

Residents may review city agendas, supporting documents and approved minutes through the Coon Rapids meeting-information portal.

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